Pastry filling machine



w. DE WITT GOODMAN 'ETAL 3,249,133

May 3, 1 966 PASTRY FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 INVENTORS W. DeWifi Goodman I.

BY W EM Newton Fehr rom ATTORNEY y 3, 1966 w. DE WITT GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 INVENTORS Y m n o m m w 0 0M A 0 e GF n H O f ww 6 e D N W. l

May 3, 1966 w. DE WlTT GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR S ATTORNEY Newton Fehr LEA w. DeWiH Goodman May 1966 w. DE WITT' GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 9 Sheets-Sfieet 4.

INVENTORS W. DeWiH Goodman I. Newton Fehr ATTORNEY PASTRY FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 INVENTORS W. DeWiir Goodman Newton Fehr ATTORNEY May 3, 1966 w. DE WITT GOODMAN ETAL PASTRY FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 9 Sheets-Shes}: 6

w. Dewitt Goodman l. Newton Fehr ATTORNEY May 3, 1966 w. DE WITT GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 17, 1962 INVENTORS W. DeWitr Goodman l. Newton Fehr ATTORNEY May 3, 1966 w. DE WITT GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 H 50m m INVENTORS W. Dewitt Goodman I. Newton Fehr ATTORNEY May 3, 1966 w. DE WITT GOODMAN ETAL 3,249,133

PASTRY FILLING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1962 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORS W. DeWiH Goodman l. Newton Fehr ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,249,133 PASTRY FILLING MACHINE William De Witt Goodman and Isaac Newton Fehr, Dallas, Tex., assignors to Campbell-Taggart Associated Bakeries, Inc., Dallas, Tex., a corporation of Delaware Filed Oct. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 231,220 9 Claims. (Cl. 141-160) This invention is concerned with a machine for automatically dispensing fluid filler material, which may vary from a relatively thin liquid to a relatively thick semiplastic paste-like material, from a plurality of orifices as the orifices are lowered into penetrating engagement with an article into which the fluid is injected, and is particularly concerned with a machine for filling of pastries, such as sweet rolls, or cupcakes with fluid filler material, such as a fruit filler.

The machine generally consists of a conveyor over which is disposed a filler material containing hopper, a vertically movable nozzle carrier with nozzles mounted thereon in communication with the hopper, a plurality of pumps in the hopper in communication with the nozzles which pumps are actuated simultaneously with the lowering of the nozzles. A tray containing the rolls or other articles to be filled is moved underneath the nozzle carrier on a conveyor where the tray engages a switch and a stop to actuate the nozzle carrier and pumps to cause the nozzles to be moved into penetrating engagement with articles to be filled as the pumps are actuated. The nozzles and the pumps then return to their normal upward position; the tray stop is released from the tray to allow it to move out of the machine on-the conveyor.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide an automatic liquid dispensing machine for filling pastries or other articles passed therethrough.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pastry filling machine, wherein an automatic cycle of operation of the machine is initiated by the tray whereon the pastries are carried as it moves along a conveyor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a pastry filling machine wherein a plurality of pastries are filled in a single cycle of operation of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pastry filling machine wherein a plurality of pastries are simultaneously filled with a measured quantity of filling material upon each cycle of operation of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a pastry filling machine wherein the extent of penetration of the nozzle thereof into the pastries or other articles to be filled, and the amount of injection of filler material thereinto, may be adjusted. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a pastry filling machine a pump assembly and carrier plate therefor which is easily and quickly disassembled for cleaning or repair.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic pastry filling machine wherein the handling of the pastries or other articles being filled is reduced to a minimum.

A general object of the invention is to provide an auto matic pastry filling machine which provides high production in the filling of'pastries, and uniformity in the quantity of filling material injected into the pastries.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification hereinafter following and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

A suitable embodiment of the invention is shown in the attached drawings wherein:

FIGURE I is a side elevational view of the pastry filler machine;

Patented May 3, 1966 FIGURE II is a top plan view thereof;

FIGURE III is an end view taken from the right hand side of FIGURE II;

FIGURE IV is an enlarged side elevational view of the machine;

FIGURE V is in enlarged elevational view of the hopptlar, pump cylinders extending therebelow, and the noozle pate;

hiljlIGURE VI is an enlarged top plan view of the mac e;

FIGURE VII is an enlarged fragmentary, top plan view of the pump rod carrier plate with pump rods detachably secured thereto;

FIGURE VIII is an enlarged end view of the machine from the entry end thereof;

FIGURES IX-XII are enlarged, cross-sectional elevational views of a typical pump cylinder and pump assembly used with the machine;

FIGURE XIII is a side elevational view of the pump stroke adjustment assembly, and the pulleys for rotating the conveyor belts, said view being taken on the line XIII-XIII of FIGURE VI;

FIGURE XIV is an elevational view taken at right angle to the view of FIGURE XIII, being taken on the line XIV-XIV of FIGURE VI;

FIGURE XV is a cross-section, elevational view of the adjustment means for the nozzle plate, being taken on the line XV-XV of FIGURE IV;

FlIGURE XVI is a fragmentary, perspective view showing the adjustable mounting of a typical nozzle with relation to its carriage;

FIGURE XVII is a top plan view of the tray stop and actuating arm mechanism;

FIGURE XVIII is a side elevational view of the tray stop and switch arm mechanism;

FIGURE XIX is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken on the line XIXXIX of FIGURE XVIII;

FIGURE XX is a side elevational view, partially sectionalized of a typical T-head for mounting a nozzle thereto;

FIGURE XXI is a side elevational view, partially sectiona'lized, of a typical T-head, with a nozzle attached thereto, with a removable diaphragm therein to vary the amount of flow of liquid therethrough when thin liquids are dispensed therethrough;

FIGURE XXII is a side elevational view, partially sectionalized, of a typical T-head, with a nozzle attached thereto, without the diaphragm therein;

FIGURE XXIII is an enlarged plan view of a typical disengageable attachment means for the pump rods;

FIGURE XXIV is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken along the line XXIVXXIV of FIGURE XXIII;

FIGURE XXV is a cross sectional, elevational view taken along the line XXV-XXV of FIGURE XXIV;

and

FIGURE XXVI is a diagrammatic view of the electrical and pneumatic circuits for the operation of the machine.

Numeral references are employed to designate the various parts shown in the drawing, and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

The numeral 1 indicates the general supporting frame for the machine which is preferably mounted on casters 2. The frame includes a fiat top 3 on which is rotatably mounted an inlet conveyor belt 4, and outlet conveyor belts 6, which extend about rotatable drums 5 and 7, at each end thereof respectively. The conveyor belts are rotated by a motor 55 through a belt drive 54, extending about pulleys attached to the inner drums 5 and 7, for each conveyor belt, as will be hereinafter described.

A retractable loading shelf 8 is hingedly attached to the rame 1 at the upper side thereof and is supported by colapsible supports 8a.

Tray guides 9 are provided on each side of the coneyors 4 and 6 to hold trays containing pastries or other .rticles in alignment as they pass along the conveyors. The tray guides 9 may be adjusted inwardly or outwardly 'y means of adjustment arms 9a on which they are nounted, which may be rotated inwardly or outwardly, .nd held in fixed adjusted position, by T-screws 9b.

A filler liquid hopper 10 is mounted on vertical hop- Ier support frames 11 attached to the general frame of he machine. The hopper includes inwardly sloping walls .0b and a relatively narrow throat portion 100 with a |ottom wall 24 therein in which the pump cylinders 23 re secured in holes provided therethrough for the pur- -ose hereinafter described.

The hopper hasvtransparent sight windows 10a in the ide thereof for visually determining the quantity of liquid herein.

Filler liquid is placed in the hopper for dispensing hrough the nozzles 28 for filling pastries or other like rticles in the manner hereinafter described.

A pump rod mounting plate 12 has pump rods 13 letachably secured thereto in the manner hereinafter lescr ibed.

Vertically disposed rods 14 are secured at their upper :nds to the mounting plate 12.

The rods 14 movable extend through oilite bearings 15 ecured to the hopper supports 11.

The lower ends of the rods 14 are pivotally secured by 0d end bearings 17 to identical transverse parallel levers .6 on each side of the hopper support frame 11.

The lower ends of the rod end bearings 17 are pivotally tttached to the centers of the levers 16, and each lever 16 s pivotally mounted at one end to the hopper support rame 11 by means of bearing pillar blocks 18, and is piv- )tally attached by rod end bearings 19 and 20 to the air :ylinder rod 21 of the air cylinder 22 (FIG. VIII). The aearings in pillar blocks 18 are connected by, and rotate, L shaft 18a which is mounted in sleeve 18b extending be- 1ween frames 11 (FIG. V).

A plurality of hollow open ended pump cylinders 23 [1'6 dependingly secured to the hopper floor 24 of the hop- )e1- 10 about holes provided through the floor, so that rump pistons hereinafter described, can reciprocate up 1nd down in such pump cylinders 23.

The pump cylinders 23 are supported by a suitable trace. 25 secured to the upright frame 11.

Flexible conduits 26 are attached by appropriate coullings 26a to the lower ends of the pump cylinders 23 o as to communicate therewith (FIG. V).

The nozzles 28 are adjustably supported on the nozzle :arriage 29 by means of T-heads 27, which each has a )016 therethrough and has attached thereto, in communi- :ation.with the bores, one of the flexible conduits 26.

A typical mounting of an adjustable nozzle 28 is shown It the enlarged view of FIGURE XVI.

The nozzle carriage 29 includes a plurality of pairs of varallel bars 30, which are spaced apart to provide a ilurality of longitudinal slots 31 therebetween.

Each of the bars 30 has a U-shaped magnet 33 em- )edded therein.

The T-head 27 includes a portion which slidably exends into the slot 31, and flanges 2712 which overlap the lpper surface of the bars 30 to contact the magnets 33. The T-heads 27 are made of magnetic material so that hey are attracted to the magnets 33. The magnets 33 .ttract the flanges 27b of T-head 27 thereto sufficiently 0 hold same in adjusted position, but the T-heads 27 nay be slid along the slots 31 to adjust same in any deired, spaced relationship, or any number may be added ur taken from the carriage 29, in order to properly space ame and provide theproper number for the desired lumber of pastries to be filled in a single cycle of opera ion of the machine.

The pairs of parallel bars 30 may also be adjusted laterally, since they are mounted on flanges 30a, which overlap the ends of the nozzle frame 29. The nozzle frame 29 has slots 30b therein, in which the T-nut 32 is slidably disposed, so that upon loosening the T-nut 32, the pairs of parallel bars 30 may be adjusted laterally in a desired, spaced relationship, and the T-nut 32 may then be tightened down to hold same in such adjusted position.

Therefore, it will be seen thatthe nozzles 28 may be adjusted in spaced relationship in two directions to form the desired pattern and spacing of nozzles for filling pastries passed thereunder.

A vertical arm 34 is attached to, and extendsdownwardly from, the nozzle carrier frame 29 on each side of the machine. Each arm 34 is movable downwardly upon four flanged rollers (FIG. XIII) which rotatably engage same, the rollers being secured to the main conveyor frame 36 (FIG. XIV).

A gear rack 37 is secured to each vertical arm 34 and is movable upwardly and downwardly therewith. A spur gear is attached to each end of the rotatable shaft 39, which is mounted on suitable flange bearings attached to the main conveyor frame 36 at each side of the machine, said spur gears being in mesh with the gear racks 37.

A transverse cross bar 41 (FIG. VII) is connected to the lower end of each of the vertical arms 34 and extends underneath the entry conveyor 4. An air cylinder 43, has a rod 43a which is connected centrally to the cross bar 41 by means of a rod end bearing 42.

The action of the air cylinder 43 moves the vertical arms 34downwardly upon the rollers 35, and thereby moves the nozzle frame 29, and nozzles 28 carried thereby downwardly to cause the nozzles 28 to penetrate pastries disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor belt 54. Y

A lever 44 (FIG. IV) has one end pivotally connected to the. lower end of the air cylinder 43. The lever 44 is pivoted at its center :by a pivot bearing 45, which is mounted to a bracket 450 (FIG, XV) attached to the general frame of the machine.

The outer end of the lever 44 is pivotally attached to the lower end of a threaded rod 47 by means of a rod end bearing 46' (FIGS. IV and XV).

The threaded rod 47v extends through aligned passages provided in the spaced ears 49, and threadedly extends through a rotatable sprocket nut 48 positioned between ears 49. The ears 49 are secured to support bracket 50 which is braced by brace member 51. The bracket 50 is secured at its lower end to the frame 1.

The sprocketnut 48- is rotatable by a chain (FIG. IV) extending about a sprocket. 48b. The sprocket 48b is rotated by means of a shaft 480, which in turn is rotated through miter gears in a miter box 48d. The miter gears in the miter box may be manually rotated by means of a wheel and handle assembly disposed on the outer side of the instrument panel. Through such mechanism the sprocket nut 48 can be rotated, to thereby move the threaded shaft 47 upwardly or downwardly to pivot the lever 44 and raise or lower the air cylinder 43 .to thereby adjust the nozzle frame 29 upwardly or downwardly. This adjusts the relative height between the nozzles 28 and the conveyor 4, and thereby the spacing between the nozzles 28 "and the pastries passing over the conveyor. This in turn adjusts the-penetration of the nozzles 28 into the pastries disposed thereunder.

A, pointer and scale 110a indicates the adjusted position of the nozzles, 28 with relation to the conveyor so that 'an adjustment table may be prepared for different types of pastries. q 7 V Pulleys 52 and 53 (FIG. XIII) are secured to the ends of the inner conveyordrums 5 and 7, respectively, and a drive belt 54 extends about the pulleys 52 and 53. The belt 54 extends about a pulley 57 (FIG. IV) driven through a gear box transmission 56 by an electric motor 55. :The

belt drive 54 is engaged and tightened by an idler pulley 58 attached to the frame of the machine.

The pump rods 13 are detachably secured to the mounting plate 12 so that they can be quickly and easily removed to withdraw the pistons 68 from the cylinders 23 for cleaning of the pump assembly. The mounting of a typical pump rod is shown in detail in the enlarged drawings of FIGURES XXIII-XXV, which includes a head assembly consisting of an. upper enlarged head 59 and a lower enlarged head 60 separated by a smaller diameter neck portion 61.

A plurality of milled slots are formed through the mounting plate 12, each of which includes an enlarged circular opening 62, through which the head 59 may pass. A narrow slot portion 63 communicates with each circular opening62 and is arranged to receive the neck 61. The head 59 may be passed through the enlarged opening 62, and the neck 61 may be moved laterally in the narrow slot portion 63. As it moves laterally, the head 59 depresses and passes behind a spring-urged ball 64 which is urged outwardly by a spring 65 held in place by spring retainer 67 in a spring housing 66. The ball 64 retains the head 59 in such position until the ball is manually depressed against the spring 65, to permit the head assembly to be shifted laterally to bring the head portion 59 and 60 into alignment with the opening 62 to permit the pump rod 13 to he slipped outwardly to release the head assembly from the plate 12. The rod 13 and pump piston 68 may then be withdrawn from the cylinder 23 to permit cleaning of the rod and piston, and the flushing and cleaning of the cylinder.

Each of the pump assemblies includes a hollow piston 68 having a bore 69 therethrough (FIGS. IX-XII).

A valve head 70 having conical end surfaces thereon is provided on each pump rod 13, and the pump rod 13 extends through the bore 69 of the hollow piston 68. An opening 71 is provided in the wall of hollow piston 68 near the lower end thereof. 1

A head 72 is provided on the lower end of each rod 13 to raise and hold hollow piston 68 when pump rod 13 is in upward position, as shown in FIG. IX.

The hollow piston" 68 has a pair of O-ring seals 73 disposed thereabout in suitable annular grooves, said sales being arranged to slidably seal against the inner wall of the more 23a of the pump cylinder 23. i

The operation of the pump is illustrated in FIGURES IXXII. It will be seen that when the plate 12 is in upward position, the rods 13 carried thereby are moved upwardly so that the valve heads 70 are separated from the upper ends of the bores 69. As shown in FIGURES IX, the head 72 contacts the lower end of hollow piston 68, and the hollow piston 68 is moved upwardly in the bore 23a of each cylinder 23. As the piston moves upwardly, filler fluid in the hopper 10, which is maintained at a level above the upper end of the pistons 68 at the maximum upward stroke of the plate 12, is caused to flow into the bores 69 thereof, as indicated by arrow in FIGURE IX, through the openings 71 and into the bores 23a of the cylinders 23.

As the plate 12 is moved downwardly, the valve head 70 is caused to seat in the upper end of the bore 69, as shown in FIGURE X. As the piston 68 moves downwardly, liquid in the bore of the cylinder 23 is forced outwardly through the tube 26 as indicated in FIGURE XI. The stroke of piston 68 is determined by the setting of time delay relay 96. This cycle of operation is repeated as the rods 13 are reciprocated up and down in unison in a cycle of operation of the machine, as will be hereinafter described.

The tray stop and automatic sequence initiation mechanism of a cycle of operation of the machine is shown in detail in FIGURES XVII-XIX, wherein the numeral 75 indicates a retractable tray stop having a portion 75a extending upwardly through an opening 3a in the top of the upper frame between the entry and out-let conveyors.

The tray stop 75 is pivoted at 76 to a mounting frame 77. The mounting frame 77 is secured to the underside of the frame 3 by means of suitable screws 77a, and includes side rails 79 to which are slidably connected, as indicated at 78, a carriage plate 80. The slidable connection 80a at one end includes two transverse parts embracing the rail 79 and a T-nut 81 extends between the parts so that after the carriage 80 is adjusted longitudinally the T-nut may be tightened down to secure the carriage plate in fixed position.

The carriage plate 80 has a downwardly extending portion 80b, to which is attached an air cylinder 82 at the lower end thereof, as indicated at 82a. The rod 82b of the air cylinder 82 is pivotally attached at its upper end to the tray stop 75 as indicated at 83. A switch mounting plate 85 is adjustably mounted to the downwardly extending portion 80b of the carriage plate 80 by means of bolts and nuts 91, which extend through the plate 85 and through elongated slots provided in the downwardly extending portion 80b of carriage 80. Therefore, it will be seen that the plate 85 may be adjusted longitudinally with relation to the downwardly extending portion 80b. The carriage plate 80 may be adjusted longitudinally by reason of a slidable connection with the rails 79, so as to permit adjustment of the relative positions of the tray stop 75 and the switch arm 84.

The switch actuating arm 84 is pivotally mounted about .a pin 86 extending outwardly from the plate 85, said switch arm being urged upwardly through the opening 3a by means of a spring 87.

A limit switch 88 is attached to the plate 85 by means of suitable screws and spacer connections 88a.

A link arm 89 connects the operating shaft of the limit switch 88 with the pivoted cam lever arm 84, so that when the arm 85 is moved to the right as viewed in FIG- URE XVIII the switch 88 is actuated.

The limit switch is actuated by a tray moving on the entry conveyor 4 engaging the cam lever 84 from the left and pivoting it forwardly and downwardly against the springs 87 to thereby set the cycle of operation of the machine in motion, as will be hereinafter described.

After energizing the switch 88, the tray containing the pastries engages the stop 75 and is held in such position thereby as the nozzles 28 are brought downwardly to penetrate and fill the pastries, as will be hereinafter described.

FIGURES XX-XXII show the construction of the adjustable T-heads 27 on which the nozzles 28 are attached. The T-heads 27 each have a bore 27a therethrough in conmmunication with the flexible conduit 26 attached to the upper end thereof.

An interiorally threaded adapter 92 is made a part of the lower end of each T-head 27, to which the nozzles 28 may be threadedly attached. Therefore, the nozzles 28 my be interchanged to provide nozzles of varying sized openings therethrough.

In FIGURE XXI there is shown a rubber diaphragm 28a positioned across the opening through the nozzle 28, said diaphragm having a restricted passage through the center thereof. The diaphragm 28a may be placed in the nozzle 28 when relatively thin liquids are being dispensed from the hopper to prevent the liquid from flowing out through the nozzle 28 except when pressure is exerted thereagainst.

FIGURE XXVI is a diagrammatic drawing of the pneurnatic and electrical circuit employed in the operation of the machine.

The switch 88, which is actuated by a pastry tray engaging cam switch arm 84, is a limit switch, and the remainder of the timing is carried out by three time delay relays, 94, 95 and 96. The relays 94, 95 and 96 are oi the on delay type which provide for the time delay after the coil therein is energized. They are adjustable from of a second to three minutes. Each said relay is equipped with one set of normally open and one set of ormally closed contacts. In addition relays 94 and 95 re each equipped with an auxiliary set of normally open nd normally closed contacts which operate instantaneusly when the coils therein are energized.

Stop cylinder valve 97, nozzle cylinder valve 98, and ump cylinder valve 99 are so wired to their respective elays 94, 95 and 96 to maintain the rods of the cylinders 2, 43 and 22 in extended position while the coils in said clays are de-energized.

In the sequence of operation of the machine, the limit witch 88 is energized by a tray moving on the entry coneyor 4 engaging the switch arm 84 and rotating it for- Iardly and downwardly to actuate the switch 88 through 1e movement of the arm 89. Relay 93 is energized drough relay 88, and is held closed by the normally closed elay contacts of relay 96.

The energization of limit switch 88 also energizes the oil of time switch 94, causing it to begin its timing operaion. The time of switch 94 is set so that the filling proess of bringing the nozzles 28 downwardly into penerating engagement with the pastries iscompleted before be time has elapsed. When this predetermined time has lapsed, the delay contacts of relay 94 reverse, shifting he position of the spool in the stop valve 97, supply- 1g air under pressure to the opposite end of the stop ylinder 82. This lowers the stop 75 out of engagement zith the-tray and allows the tray with the filled pastries hereon, to move outwardly of the machine on the out- :t conveyor belts 6. The stop 75 remains in downward osition until'the tray clears the switch operating lever 4 and the spring 87 returns the lever to normal position, hereby resetting switch relay 93 for the next cycle of peration.

While the contacts of relay 93 are held in closed posiion by the energization of the relay 88, the coil of relay was also energized at the same time that relay 94 was nergized and the normally open contacts therein were losed. This completes the circuit to one side of the ozzle valve 98, causing the valve spool therein to shift, upplying air to the opposite end of the nozzle cylinder '3, to thus lower the nozzle carrier 29 and nozzles 28. The time delay is so set on the coil of relay 95 so that as con as the nozzles 28 have been lowered, the normally pen delay contacts therein are closed, supplying power to he coil of time delay relay 96, energizing the coil of clay 96.

When the coil of time delay relay 96 is energized, the .ormally open contacts therein are closed, completing the ircuit to one side of the pump valve 99, causing the alve spool therein to shift, supplying air to the other ide of the pump cylinder 22, causing it to begin the down troke of the piston rods 13. Since the length of the own stroke of the pump pistons determines the amount of llling fluid dispensed,the delay on the relay 96 is set 0 that only enough time is allowed for the desired stroke, her which the normally closed delay contact therein is pened, which also opens the circuit to the coil of relay 3. 1 Thus relay 93 drops out of the circuit and the circuit upplying power to the coils of relays 96 and 95 are |pened and their respective contacts return to their normal ositions, reversing the spools in the nozzle valve 98 and |ump valve 99, raising the nozzles 28 and the pump pistons 8, and, returning the machine to normal position ready or another cycle of operation, when energized by a tray vgain engaging the switch arm 84. v

The electrical circuit also includes a power on-otf switch .00 which operates a starting relay 101, supplying power 0 the motor start-stop circuit 102, which is actuated by .ppropriate manual switches.

Compressed air is supplied for the operation of the 'arious air cylinders described from an outside source by means of a connection attached to an inlet nozzle 103 to vhich is attached an appropriate conduit 103a (FIG. IV) eading to pressure regulator control valves 111 on the rent panel of the machine.

on the front panel. Also there is provided a motor speed control adjustment wheel 108.

Pressure gauges 109 are provided on the front panel for visually adjusting the air inlet pressure by means of the pressumregulator control knobs 111. v

Nozzle adjustment wheel and lever 110 is provided on the front panel for adjusting the height of nozzles 28 with relation to the conveyors 4 and 6 in the manner hereinbefore described. The position of adjustment of the nozzles with relation to the conveyors is indicated on a scale 110a which may be employed for preparation of a gaililcalration of settings for various pastry articles to be Theoperation and function of the device described is as follows:

The electrical circuit is energized by pressing the on switch supplying power through the starting relay 101. The motor 55 is then energized by pressing the motor start switch. The motor and conveyors run continuously while the machine is in operation.

The nozzles 28 are properly spaced and positioned by adjusting the T-heads '27 along the channels 31 so as to cause the nozzles 28 to come into penetrating engagement with a plurality of pastries placed in predetermined spaced position on a tray to be passed through the machine. The tray containing the uncooked pastries is placed on the entry conveyor 4, and is movedalong thereby until it engages the switch arm 84, which initiates the sequence of automatic operation of the machine, as

hereinbefore described. The tray is stopped by engaging the stop 75. r In timed sequence, as before described, the nozzle carrier 29 is brought downward, and the pumprod plate 12 'is drawn downwardly causing liquid to be extruded by the pump pistons 68 through the nozzles 28 after they penetrate the upper surface of the pastries, causing the filler liquid to be dispensed through the nozzles into the pastries.

When the sequence of automatic operation is completed, as hereinbefore explained, the pump plate 12. and nozzle carrier 29 returns to upper normal position as the tray stop is lowered to release the tray to allow it to move out of the machine on the outlet conveyors 6.

As hereinbefore explained, the relative horizontal position of the nozzle carrier 29 with relation to the conveyors 4 and 6 may be adjusted by turning the hand wheel 1 10, and the amount of fluid dispensed in each cycle of operation may be adjusted for each nozzle by manipulating the pump relay adjustment 104. In making these settings the nozzle jog switch 113 and pump job switch 114 may be employed to test the positions of the nozzles and to prime the pumps.

The speed of operation of the various air cylinders in the machine may be adjusted by the controls 112 on the front panel which adjust the rate of discharge of exhaust air from the air valves.

It will thus be .seen that we have provided an automatic pastry filler machine wherein predetermined amount of liquid may be dispensed from each dispensing nozzle as it comes into penetrating engagement with the pastry of other articles, which lends itself to easy and quick adjustment for accommodating ditferent sizes and thicknesses of pastries or other articles, and for different spacing therebetween. We have provided a machine which will fill pastries with uniform quantities of fluid in mass production, resulting in a great saving of labor, time and material, and at the same time producing a product of superior quality.

Having described our invention we claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a main frame; a liquid container disposed above the frame; conveyor means disposed on they frame under the container; means to move the conveyor means while the device is in operation; a nozzle frame carried by the main frame; means to move the nozzle frame upwardly and downwardly with reference to the main frame; a plurality of nozzles attached to the nozzle frame in position to dispense liquid vertically therefrom; flexible conduits extending between the container and each of the nozzles; a plurality of pumps disposed in the container having intakes disposed below the level of the liquid, each said pump having an outlet communicating with a nozzle through one of the flexible conduits; the said nozzles being arranged to engage pastry articles disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor means to deposit fluid from the container on the individual pastry articles; retractable stop means extend-able above the conveyor means arranged to engage the trays and stop same with reference to the conveyor means while the nozzles are vbeing lowered into engagement with the articles thereon; means to retract the stop means after the nozzles have engaged the article-s and liquid has been dispensed therefrom; and means to actuate the pumps while the nozzles are in lowered position to dispense liquid from the container through the nozzles.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of a spring-urged switch arm carried by the main frame and extending upwardly through the conveyor arranged to be engaged by a tray moving upon the conveyor to initiate automatic actuation of the nozzle frame, pump and stop means retraction means.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein each pump is comprised of a cylinder secured to an opening through the bottom wall of the container, a hollow pump pistonslidably. and sealingly extending into the cylinder and being open at the upper and lower ends thereof; the open upper end of said hollow piston being submerged below the level of the liquid in the container and being movable upwardly and downwardly in said liquid; a rod extending through the hollow piston and :being reciprocable therein; a head on the rod arranged to close the upper end of the piston when the rod is lowered; and being out of engagement With the upper end of the piston when it is raised in the liquid; a passage through the wall of the piston near the lower end thereof; and a valve head on the lower end of the rod exteriorally of the piston arranged to engage the lower end of the piston when the rod is in raised position.

4. The combination called for in Claim 3 where-in the upper ends of the rods are detachably secured to a horizontal member; and means attached to the horizontal member for lowering and raising the horizontal member, and the rods attached thereto to actuate the pump pistons in unison.

'5. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of means carried by the main frame for adjusting the relative height between the nozzle frame and the conveyor means.

6. *In a device of the class described, a main frame; a liquid container disposed above the frame; conveyor means disposed on the frame under the container; means to move the conveyor means while the device is in operation; a nozzle [frame carried by the main frame; means to move the nozzle frame upwardly and downwardly with reference to the main frame; a plurality of nozzles attached to the nozzle frame in position, to dispense liquid vertically therefrom; flexible conduits extending between the container and each of the nozzles; a plurality of pumps disposed in the container having intakes disposed below the level of the liquid, each said pumps having an outlet communicating with a nozzle through one of the flexible conduits; the said nozzles being arranged to engage pastry articles disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor means to deposit fluid from the container on the individual pastry articles; retractable stop means extend-able above the conveyor means arranged to engage the trays and stop same with reference to the conveyor means while the nozzles are being lowered into engagement with the articles thereon; means to retract the stop means after the nozzles have engaged the articles and liquid has been dispensed therefrom; means to actuate the pumps while the nozzles are in lowered position to dispense liquid from the container through the nozzles; the said nozzle frame being comprised of spaced rails providing slots ttherebetween; a T-he-ad slidably suspended in each slot; a nozzle mounted on each T-head; means to disengageably attach the T-heads to the rails; and means to adjust the spacing of the rails on the nozzle frame.

7. In a device of the class described, a main frame; a main frame; a liquid container disposed above the frame; disposed on the frame under the container; means to move the conveyor means while the device is in operation; a nozzle frame carried by the main frame; means to move the nozzle frame upwardly and downwardly with reference to the main frame; a plurality of nozzles attached to the nozzle frame in position to dispense liquid vertically therefrom; flexible conduits extending between the container and each of the nozzles; a plurality of pumps having intakes disposed in the container below the level of the liquid, each said pump communicating with a nozzle through one of the flexible conduits; the said nozzles being arranged to engage pastry articles disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor means; retractable stop means extendable above the conveyor means arranged to engage the trays and stop same with reference to the conveyor means while the nozzles are being lowered into engagement with the articles thereon; means to retract the stop means after the nozzles have engaged the articles and liquid has been dispensed therefrom; means to actuate the pumps while the nozzles are in lowered position to dispense liquid from the container through the nozzles; the said nozzle frame being comprised of spaced rails providing slots therebetween; a T-head slidably suspended in each slot; a nozzle mounted on each T-head; means to disengageably attach the T-heads to the rails; an elongated magnet embedded in the upper surface of each rail, the said T-heads being made of magnetic material; and flanges on the T-heads overlapping the mag-nets to adjustably attach the T-heads to the rails.

'8. 'In a device of the class described; a main frame; a liquid container disposed above the frame; conveyor means disposed on the frame under the container; means to move the conveyor means while the device is in operation; a nozzle frame carried by the main frame; means to move the nozzle frame upwardly and downwardly with reference to the main frame; a plurality of nozzles attached to the nozzle frame in position to dispense liquid vertically therefrom; flexible conduits extending between the container and each of the nozzles; a plurality of pumps disposed in the container having intakes disposed below the level of the liquid, each said pump having an outlet communicating with a nozzle through one of the flexible conduits; the said nozzles being arranged to engage pastry articles disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor means; retractable stop means extendable above the conveyor means arranged to engage the trays and stop same with reference to the conveyor means while the nozzles are being lowered into engagement with the articles thereon; means to retract the stop means after the nozzles have engaged the articles and liquid has been dispensed therefrom; means to actuate the pumps while the nozzles are in lowered position to dispense liquid from the container through the nozzles; the said nozzle frame being comprised of spaced rails providing slots therebetween; a T-llead slid-ably suspended in each slot; a nozzle mounted on each T-head; means to disengageably attach the T-heads to the rails; an elongated magnet embedded in the upper surface of each rail; the said T-heads being made of magnetic material; flanges on the T-heads overlapping the magnets to adjustably attach the T-head-s to the rails; and means to adjust the spacing of the rails on the nozzle frame.

9. In a device of the class described, a main frame; liquid container disposed above the frame; conveyor means disposed on the frame under the container; means move the conveyor means while the device is in operaion; a nozzle frame carried by the main frame; means 0 move the nozzle frame upwardly and downwardly vi-th reference to the main frame; a plurality of nozzles tttached to the nozzle frame in position to dispense liquid 'erti-oal-ly therefrom; flexible conduits extending between he container and each of the nozzles; a plurality of lumps having intakes disposed in the container below be level of the liquid, each said pump having an outlet :ommunicating with a nozzle through one of the flexible onduits; the said nozzles being arranged to engage pastry .rticles disposed upon trays carried on the conveyor neans; retractable stop means extendable above the coneyor means arranged to engage the trays and stop same vith reference to the conveyor means while the nozzles .re being lowered into engagement with the articles hereon; means to retract the stop means after the nozzles lave engaged the articles and liquid has been dispensed herefrom; means to actuate the pumps while the nozzles LI'O in lowered position to dispense liquid from the conainer through the nozzles; each said pump being comrised of a cylinder secured to an opening through the rottom Wall of the container; a hollow pump piston lidab'ly and sealingly extending into the cylinder and reing open at its upper and lower ends and movable upvardly and downwardly below the level of the liquid in he container; a rod extending through the hollow piston ll'ld being reciprocable therein; a head on the rod aranged to close the upper end of the piston when the ad is lowered and being out of engagement with the lpper end of the piston when the rod is raised upwardly n the liquid; a passage through the wall of the piston near the lower end thereof; a head on the lower end of the rod exteriorally of the piston arranged to engage the lower end of the piston when the rod is in raisedposition; the upper ends of the rods being detachably secured to the horizm'ital member; means attached to the horizontal member for lowering and raising the horizontal member; rods attached to the horizontal member to actuate the pump pistons in unison; said horizontal member comprising a rectangular plate; a plurality of passages formed through the plate, each passage comprising an enlarged portion and a relatively narrow neck portion; a pair of enlarged heads on the upper end of each rod, having a neck portion therebetween arranged to enter the relatively narrow neck portion of a passage, the heads ,on the rods being arranged to pass through the enlarged portion of a passage to permit the neck portion on the rod to enter the neck portion .of the passage; and .a spring urged member carried by the plate arranged to engage one of the enlarged heads to retain the neck portion of the rod in the neck portion of the passage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 440,916 11/1890 Dannals 141-237 X 1,073,911 9/1913 Knowles et a1. 184-27 1,896,210 1/1933 Vogt 141175 X 1,991,656 1/1935 Campbell 141138 X 2,710,128 6/ 1955 Anderson 141-245 2,728,508 1 2/1955 Marasso 141-180 X 2,932,330 4/1960 Donofrio 141238 X 3,020,939 2/1962 Donofrio 141180X 3,036,604 5/1962 Donofrio 141180 X LAVERNE D, GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

E. EARLS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. IN A DEVICE OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, A MAIN FRAME; A LIQUID CONTAINER DISPOSED ABOVE THE FRAME; CONVEYOR MEANS DISPOSED ON THE FRAME UNDER THE CONTAINER; MEANS TO MOVE THE CONVEYOR MEANS WHILE THE DEVICE IS IN OPERATION; A NOZZLE FRAME CARRIED BY THE MAIN FRAME; MEANS TO MOVE THE NOZZLE FRAME UPWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY WITH REFERENCE TO THE MAIN FRAME; A PLURALITY OF NOZZLES ATTACHED TO THE NOZZLE FRAME IN POSITION TO DISPENSE LIQUID VERTICALLY THEREFROM; FLEXIBLE CONDUITS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CONTAINER AND EACH OF THE NOZZLES; A PLURALITY OF PUMPS DISPOSED IN THE CONTAINER HAVING INTAKES DISPOSED BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE LIQUID, EACH SAID PUMP HAVING AN OUTLET COMMUNICATING WITH A NOZZLE THROUGH ONE OF THE FLEXIBLE CONDUITS; THE SAID NOZZLES BEING ARRANGED TO ENGAGE PASTRY ARTICLES DISPOSED UPON TRAYS CARRIED ON THE CONVEYOR MEANS TO DEPOSIT FLUID FROM THE CONTAINER ON THE INDIVIDUAL PASTRY ARTICLES; RETRACTABLE STOP MEANS EXTENDABLE ABOVE THE CONVEYOR MEANS ARRANGED TO ENGAGE THE TRAYS AND STOP SAME WITH REFERENCE TO THE CONVEYOR MEANS WHILE THE NOZZLES ARE BEING LOWERED INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE ARTICLES THEREON; MEANS TO RETRACT THE STOP MEANS AFTER THE NOZZLES HAVE ENGAGED THE ARTICLES AND LIQUID HAS BEEN DISPENSED THEREFROM; AND MEANS TO ACTUATE THE PUMPS WHILE THE NOZZLES ARE IN LOWERED POSITION TO DISPENSE LIQUID FROM THE CONTAINER THROUGH THE NOZZLES. 